The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-09
GRAND ARMY ENCAMPMENT.
Commander Rea and the Executive Commit
tee Hold Meeting at Columbus

COLUMBUS O., Dec. S.-Judge John P. Rea.
of Minneapolis, grand commanderin chief of
the national Grand Army of the Republic, his
staff. and the executive committee, arrived in
the city from Chicago this morning. and has
been in charge of the reception committee,
with exception of the time given to business.
They are here for the purpose Of perfecting ar
rangements and fixing the date of holding the
grand encampment, in 1888. Columbus was Sc
lected as the place of meeting at the st. Louis
encampment and it appeared to be then
taken for granted that the question
was disposed of. The local committee
of Columbus people have considered that the
question was settled that the encampment would
be held in September next. and they were some
what surprised when member of
the council brought up the question
of fixing the date some time in June
was a tendency to remove the encampment to
some other point, but investigation this
proved to have no foundation in fact AT
joint meeting of the executive and local commit
tees Governor Foraker spoke in behalf of
the citizens and the local Grand Army of
the Republic, urging that the encampment
the fund had been made with that understand
ing. and the local committees could not well get
ready before that time. General S. FL. Hurst,
director general of the centennial also adj
dressed the committee and impressed upon them
the fact that it was not the Intention to make
the encampment side-show to the
centennial. but the whole Of the
week in which the encampment was
held should be devoted to the Grand Army
demonstrations. There other speeches
made. in which the advantages of holding the
encampmens in September were presented.
After the local committees had been heard. the
committee went into executive session,
with the assurance that the wishes of
the local committees should receive
proper consideration. The committee consumed
the balance of the session in consideration
of routine business and the adoption of q
resolution. q request made in a letter re-
ceived from g. w. Williams, asking the body to
take action indorsing the bill in Congress
proposing appropriation of $780, 600 for the
erection of monument to the memory of the
colored soldiers of the rebellion. The resolution
commends the object and purpose of the bill. but
deems it inexpedient for them to take
desire and purpose of the order is to secure the
passage of bill to relieve suffering and indi-
gent comrades, and the resolution expresses the
belief that to divide their influences would
jeopardize, in a certain degree, the pension
bill
During the day General Rea and staff called
on Governor Foraker. The latter had not met
the commander since they were classmates at
Delaware, and the reception was most cordial.
The executive committee adjourned until 10 to-
morrow without having decided upon the date
OF the encampment.
This evening Informal receptions were ten
dered the DISTINGUISHED party by citizens and
members at the Board of Trade, and later Judge
Rea and party were the center of attraction at
open campfire of Wells Post, q. A. R.,
where the comrades were presented.